One of the most important factors to consider when installing a brand new door in your home or business establishment is the type of hinges that will connect the door to the door frame. Hinges play a crucial role in opening and closing the door, and while most hinges look similar, there are many different types used for various applications. Picking the right hinge for the application is just as important as picking the right knob and lockset.
The most common type of hinges is butt hinges. They’re simple, come in a lot of varieties, and are applicable to most projects. Butt hinges are made of two leaves connected with a joint. One of the leaves is connected to the door, while the other is connected to the jamb. Their simplicity and reliability have made them a very popular solution, and they can be used on interior and exterior doors, windows, cupboards, etc.
Another popular type of hinges is friction hinges. Heavy duty friction hinges are heavily used in industrial settings on huge gates and doors for frequent use. Heavy duty friction hinges are typically made of quality materials that can withstand a lot of abuse. They can be adjustable and come in a wide range of finishes to improve their durability and element-resistant properties.
Then, there are flush hinges, which are lightweight, smaller in size, and are fixed directly onto the surface without having to cut a recess. They do this by enabling one leaf to fit inside the other, thus taking up less space. The fact that they are lightweight, however, makes them less sturdy than the aforementioned two types. Plus, they don’t come in as many variations as the other types do.
Regardless of what type of hinge you end up deciding to go for, the material it’s made of can play a crucial role in how durable it is and how it looks. The most commonly used materials for manufacturing door hinges include brass, stainless steel, bronze, cast iron, and copper. Also, where the door or gate is located is crucial to deciding the best type of material. For instance, if the door is outdoors and exposed to the elements, a stainless steel hinge is best, simply because it offers high corrosion-resistant properties.
And while functionality is the number one priority when picking a hinge, the colour and design can also play an important role. Hinges are available in a wide range of finishes, such as antique or polished brass, black, oil rubbed bronze, brushed nickel, etc. And as aforementioned, they come in many shapes and sizes, and some of them may even feature ornate patterns that are carved into the knuckles and leaves.